News and Blogs

What Illinois Law Actually Says About Unbuckled Crash Victims Key Takeaways: Illinois requires nearly all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts under 625 ILCS 5/12-603.1(a), with drivers responsible for children and occupants who cannot buckle themselves. Critically, subsection (c) states that failure to wear a belt is not evidence […]

Understanding the Dollar Limits on Illinois Liquor Liability Claims Key Takeaways: For dram shop judgments or settlements on or after January 20, 2026, Illinois caps recovery from a licensed establishment at $90,411.55 per person for personal injury or property damage, with a separate aggregate limit of $110,503 for loss of […]

When the Doctor Who Harmed You Wasn’t Actually the Hospital’s Employee Key Takeaways: Apparent agency is an Illinois common law doctrine that can hold a hospital vicariously liable for negligence by a physician who reasonably appeared to be part of the hospital’s staff, even if that physician was technically an […]

How Illinois Medical Liens Can Attach to Your Car Crash Settlement Key Takeaways: The Illinois Health Care Services Lien Act, 770 ILCS 23/1 et seq., allows hospitals, physicians, and other providers treating crash injuries to attach a lien to your settlement for the reasonable value of their services, excluding Workers’ […]

Understanding Illinois’ Tool for Identifying Hidden Malpractice Defendants Key Takeaways: A respondent in discovery under 735 ILCS 5/2-402 is a person or entity, other than a named defendant, who a plaintiff believes has essential information for determining who should be sued. Illinois plaintiffs designate these parties in the pleading, serve […]